January Round Up

News

Welcome to our first-ever monthly round-up. Here you’ll find snippets of news from the world of bass this month. After December’s non-stop debauchery, we’ve made it through what always seems to be the longest month of the year. January is over, and what a month it’s been for bass music.

Far from what Overview boss Peter Piper’s hilarious Dramatic Reading will have you believe, D&B has not been ruined, but after 40-ish years, it’s actually still doing rather well. Some might say thriving. To mark four long decades, the International Music Summit has announced that they will be spotlighting jungle and drum and bass at this year’s summit in Ibiza.

More recognition for the genre and the amazing artists who reside within it came in the form of the mighty Nia Archives being the first jungle artist to be nominated for three Brit Awards over the course of her career. A landmark moment for jungle representation in mainstream music. Big Ups!

We saw living legends Fabio & Grooverider make their long-awaited return to the BBC. While it was only a mere two weeks while covering Shrelle’s radio show, we were all locked-on to hear them bringing their legacy back to the airwaves. Another iconic duo have also given us a blast from the past—Skream and Benga announced they are working on a new album together, with a new joint Instagram account.

https://www.instagram.com/skreamizm/p/DEXPSDaMvup

While some artists are reigniting their joint passion, some are coming to the end of their time. And it’s with a heavy heart that we read the news around 140 is Dubstep trio Ternion Sound announcing their split. They will tour this year before splitting in 2026.

January has also seen how large the heart of bass is. The scene dug deep for beloved MC Ben Verse and raised over £60K to help with the costs of his treatment—tripling the target. Beats In Kind has released a various artist LP—Flashlight—with a whopping 50 tracks, in aid of the LA wildfires. We also saw the release of Con*Natural with all proceeds going to his family and their charity.

That’s a wrap for January—the bass scene is already off to a huge start in 2025. More next month!

Tracks

One By One (VISLA Remix)– Operate and Madrush MC

Sagar Deshmukh

The ‘Overview 100’ compilation was released in two parts, spanning either side of the new year. Part one, which debuted in December, included remixes from Calyx, Wingz, gyrofield, and En:vy. The second part, released just weeks ago, delivered equally explosive reworks from the likes of Enei, Zero T, Satl, and Waeys, among many other heavy-hitting contributions. Among the avalanche of standout tracks, one that truly demands attention is VISLA’s skull-shattering rework of Operate and Madrush MC’s “One By One.” While the original offers a brooding, laidback narrative, VISLA takes the track to a whole new level, transforming it into a rugged, dancefloor-destroying anthem—a skill he has perfected since his breakout year in 2023. From dark, intimate clubs to festival stages, this remix is a guaranteed crowd-shaker, embodying the raw energy and spirit that defines Overview Music’s legacy.

Fuel – Denham Audio ft Jianbo

Ant Mullholland

The eclectic Denham Audio has dropped another release on the ever-growing Locked On Records, joining forces with South London MC Jianbo. This bouncy UK garage rhythm infused with a steely bassline complements Jianbo’s flow and delivery flawlessly—pushing the boundaries sonically, transpiring into a dancefloor damager which will undoubtedly be played in a rave near you.

Mixes

Mia Koden (On The Grid Special) @TheLotRadio

Isabella Jeanne de Boer

Mia Koden kicked the year off with an exceptional showcase of sound system-centric genres on her ‘On The Grid’ special mix for The Lot Radio earlier this month. Featuring a flawless blend of dubstep, dub-steppas, and 4/4 grooves, she set the tone immediately with an unreleased collaboration with Dubrunner, delivering raw dub energy. Highlights included Martin Campbell’s Wicked Rule from Pharma’s Dub Edits, a standout selection certifying her deep connection to bass-rooted genres. Closing the set with Love Joys’ Jah Light, a timeless reggae gem, Koden honoured the roots of sound system culture while pushing its boundaries into the present. Through this heartfelt ode, Mia Koden seamlessly fuses old-school-driven selections with modern dancefloor appeal, reaffirming her place at the forefront of today’s dance music scene.

Citizen b2b Insectcrusha VS Pent1 b2b Delta – Mode London

Ant Mullholland

London-based DJs Citizen & Insectcrusha invited up-and-coming producers Pent1 and Delta onto their monthly radio show on Mode London in a versus-style clash—bringing a variety of sounds ranging from 120-140bpm, covering an array of genres including electro, UK bass, dubstep, and more.